John Goins will be among the cancer survivors attending this Saturday’s Bland County Relay for Life Survivor Luau at Central United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall beginning at 12:30 p.m. The county treasurer and all other cancer survivors in the county will be treated to a day of fun with food and prizes.
“I think the get-together is a good thing,” Goins said earlier this week. “”There are quite a few people here in Bland County surviving cancer. I think that gives us all hope.”
According to him, his kidney cancer was diagnosed three years ago through a routine X-ray after he suffered a bout of kidney stones and walking pneumonia. A small mass on the outside of his kidney was removed without damage to the organ.
“I didn’t have to have any treatments,” Goins noted. “The doctor found it early enough that it hadn’t damaged my kidney. The mass was all on the outside of my kidney and the tumor was removed without taking out my kidney.”
He has undergone a checkup for the last two years and will continue for three more at which time he will have a more extensive set of tests.
“I encourage everyone to have a routine checkup once a year,” Goins said. “Early detection is so important with any health problem. So many people put off going to the doctor until they feel bad. Checkups are critical. Your health is one of the most important things you can have.”
While the Survivors’ Walk is an important part of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for Bland County, the committee has provided a pre-Relay for Life event for cancer survivors for several years. It honors them with a luncheon and other activities.
This year’s survivors’ event will have a luau. Those attending may dress in their favorite Hawaiian shirt.
“We’d love to have all local survivors come out with their caregivers for a ton of food, Survivor Bingo and lots of fun and fellowship,” said April Dutton, the county’s Relay for Life chairman. “Being with our cancer survivors keeps us, the committee, in focus and reminds us why we do what we do.”
The 2011 Bland County Relay for Life is set for Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25. It will be held at the Bland County Fairgrounds.
Last year’s local Relay for Life raised $70,527.44 for the American Cancer Society. The goal had been $55,000.
All money collected is used by the American Cancer Society to fund research projects and other programs.
2011年5月10日星期二
2011年5月8日星期日
An Engine’s Tall Order: Streamline the Search
WHEN a kidney stone had me writhing in pain a few months back, I did what a lot of people with medical ailments do: I headed straight to Google for help with a self-diagnosis.
In 0.18 seconds, Google led me to 1.9 million pieces of advice, both good and suspect. Drink plenty of water and try to tough it out, but go to the doctor if it doesn’t go away — that seemed to be the consensus. But also among the search results were how-to articles like one saying that if I sipped tea brewed from ground celery seeds or corn silk, the stone would pass within hours. My laughter didn’t reduce the pain.
Ultimately, with the help of several quarts of water, the stone passed. But I learned one thing from the Google search results. While you get them very rapidly, they may not be all that useful and dependable.
It isn’t hard to see why. A considerable amount of human effort is spent gaming Google results. Practitioners of the art call it search engine optimization, or S.E.O., and it is used to move a retailer’s Web pages or a news organization’s articles to the top of the search results page. Web pages are created specifically to fool Google’s search algorithm in order to get a higher ranking.
Over on Mechanical Turk, an online job clearinghouse run by Amazon for employers looking for people to do small tasks for small amounts of money, a significant number of the listings are for people to aid in either some form of S.E.O. or spam generation.
Google says it tweaks its page-ranking algorithm regularly to fight the S.E.O. experts, who frantically experiment to find a way to gain back the advantage, and the cat-and-mouse game continues.
In 0.18 seconds, Google led me to 1.9 million pieces of advice, both good and suspect. Drink plenty of water and try to tough it out, but go to the doctor if it doesn’t go away — that seemed to be the consensus. But also among the search results were how-to articles like one saying that if I sipped tea brewed from ground celery seeds or corn silk, the stone would pass within hours. My laughter didn’t reduce the pain.
Ultimately, with the help of several quarts of water, the stone passed. But I learned one thing from the Google search results. While you get them very rapidly, they may not be all that useful and dependable.
It isn’t hard to see why. A considerable amount of human effort is spent gaming Google results. Practitioners of the art call it search engine optimization, or S.E.O., and it is used to move a retailer’s Web pages or a news organization’s articles to the top of the search results page. Web pages are created specifically to fool Google’s search algorithm in order to get a higher ranking.
Over on Mechanical Turk, an online job clearinghouse run by Amazon for employers looking for people to do small tasks for small amounts of money, a significant number of the listings are for people to aid in either some form of S.E.O. or spam generation.
Google says it tweaks its page-ranking algorithm regularly to fight the S.E.O. experts, who frantically experiment to find a way to gain back the advantage, and the cat-and-mouse game continues.
Man who inspired Government cancer pledge is refused NHS treatment
Clive Stone so impressed Mr Cameron with his battle to improve access to NHS treatment for cancer that the Conservative leader announced the pledge from the retired bank manager's home, during last year's general election campaign.
On Wednesday, Mr Stone, who suffers from liver cancer, and lives in the Prime Minister's Witney constituency, will go to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE for services to cancer patients.
But on Friday he learned that his own plea for NHS treatment to remove a tumour in his brain has been rejected.
On Wednesday, the same day Mr Stone travels to London to be honoured by the Queen for his contribution to cancer care, health bossClive Stone so impressed Mr Cameron with his battle to improve access to NHS treatment for cancer that the Conservative leader announced the pledge from the retired bank manager's home, during last year's general election campaign.
On Wednesday, Mr Stone, who suffers from liver cancer, and lives in the Prime Minister's Witney constituency, will go to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE for services to cancer patients.
But on Friday he learned that his own plea for NHS treatment to remove a tumour in his brain has been rejected.
On Wednesday, the same day Mr Stone travels to London to be honoured by the Queen for his contribution to cancer care, health bosses will consider a bid to fund his case as an "exceptional" case.
Since being diagnosed with kidney cancer three years ago, Mr Stone, 63, has undergone nine operations to remove tumours, which have now spread to his brain.
Two of those tumours have been removed, but surgeons have said the only way they can remove the remaining one is to use Gamma Knife treatment, which does less damage to surrounding tissues than conventional surgery.
But Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) says it does not routinely fund the operations, and the Government pledge pay for all cancer drugs requested by an NHS consultant does not cover treatments other than medication.
Mr Stone, whose wife Jan suffers from advanced breast cancer, said he felt "angry and desperate" that despite his fight to improve treatment for cancer patients, he was now facing another battle.
His campaign group Justice for Kidney Patients has brought hundreds of patients to meet drug rationing bosses, and battled in parliament.
Mr Stone said: "David Cameron was sitting on my sofa when he announced the cancer drugs fund. I felt very emotional to hear his words; it offered so much hope to people with cancer. I remember on that day, in April of last year, I said to him, 'Don't let us down'.
"I can't believe that on the one hand the Government is thanking me for services to cancer patients, but meanwhile the NHS is prepared to refuse me the only treatment that can help me."
Mr Stone said he felt angry that despite Government pledges to help cancer sufferers, local NHS administrators across the country were routinely blocking requests for many types of treatment.
He said: "At the moment my consultants have to prove that I am exceptional, that I deserve a chance more than anyone else does. That is not what I want: what I want is for the NHS to give all of us a fair chance."
A spokesman for Oxfordshire PCT said: "When we are presented with a treatment request which is not routine it is normal practice to have it considered by an exceptional cases panel.
"This serves to both assess its clinical appropriateness and funding. Mr Stone's case will be given full consideration at the meeting this week."
es will consider a bid to fund his case as an "exceptional" case.
On Wednesday, Mr Stone, who suffers from liver cancer, and lives in the Prime Minister's Witney constituency, will go to Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE for services to cancer patients.
But on Friday he learned that his own plea for NHS treatment to remove a tumour in his brain has been rejected.
On Wednesday, the same day Mr Stone travels to London to be honoured by the Queen for his contribution to cancer care, health bosses will consider a bid to fund his case as an "exceptional" case.
Since being diagnosed with kidney cancer three years ago, Mr Stone, 63, has undergone nine operations to remove tumours, which have now spread to his brain.
Two of those tumours have been removed, but surgeons have said the only way they can remove the remaining one is to use Gamma Knife treatment, which does less damage to surrounding tissues than conventional surgery.
But Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) says it does not routinely fund the operations, and the Government pledge pay for all cancer drugs requested by an NHS consultant does not cover treatments other than medication.
Mr Stone, whose wife Jan suffers from advanced breast cancer, said he felt "angry and desperate" that despite his fight to improve treatment for cancer patients, he was now facing another battle.
His campaign group Justice for Kidney Patients has brought hundreds of patients to meet drug rationing bosses, and battled in parliament.
Mr Stone said: "David Cameron was sitting on my sofa when he announced the cancer drugs fund. I felt very emotional to hear his words; it offered so much hope to people with cancer. I remember on that day, in April of last year, I said to him, 'Don't let us down'.
"I can't believe that on the one hand the Government is thanking me for services to cancer patients, but meanwhile the NHS is prepared to refuse me the only treatment that can help me."
Mr Stone said he felt angry that despite Government pledges to help cancer sufferers, local NHS administrators across the country were routinely blocking requests for many types of treatment.
He said: "At the moment my consultants have to prove that I am exceptional, that I deserve a chance more than anyone else does. That is not what I want: what I want is for the NHS to give all of us a fair chance."
A spokesman for Oxfordshire PCT said: "When we are presented with a treatment request which is not routine it is normal practice to have it considered by an exceptional cases panel.
"This serves to both assess its clinical appropriateness and funding. Mr Stone's case will be given full consideration at the meeting this week."
es will consider a bid to fund his case as an "exceptional" case.
Since being diagnosed with kidney cancer three years ago, Mr Stone, 63, has undergone nine operations to remove tumours, which have now spread to his brain.
2011年5月4日星期三
4 Reasons to Reach for a Beer
According to a recent American Heart Association survey, over 75 percent of the respondents believed that wine is heart healthy, but what about beer? Believe it or not the sudsy stuff is beginning to gain a reputation among health professionals as a beneficial beverage. Here are four guilt-free reasons to pop a few brewskies this summer:
It slashes heart disease risk
All alcoholic beverages, including beer, have been shown to boost HDL, the "good" cholesterol, lower LDL the "bad" cholesterol and thin the blood, to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Moderate alcohol consumption, which is one 12 oz beer a day for women and two for men, has also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and improved brain function in older adults.
Beer offers unique benefits compared to wine and spirits
In the Nurses Health study, over 70,000 women ages 25 to 42 were tracked for the link between alcohol and high blood pressure. The study found that those who drank moderate amounts of beer had lower blood pressures than nurses who drank either wine or spirits.
It may help reduce kidney stones and boost bone density
In published research men who chose beer had a lower risk of kidney stones compared to other alcoholic beverages, possibly due to the diuretic effect combined with beer's high water content. Other studies show that compounds in hops may also slow the release of calcium from bone, preventing it from forming a stone. Likely for the same reason, moderate beer drinking has been linked to higher bone densities among women.
Beer contains vitamins, minerals and surprise: fiber!
A standard 12-ounce lager contains just under 1 gram of fiber and a dark beer just over a gram. And in general regular beers contain several B vitamins. A 12-ounce brew also packs more calcium, magnesium, and selenium (a key antioxidant) than a serving of wine.
It slashes heart disease risk
All alcoholic beverages, including beer, have been shown to boost HDL, the "good" cholesterol, lower LDL the "bad" cholesterol and thin the blood, to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Moderate alcohol consumption, which is one 12 oz beer a day for women and two for men, has also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and improved brain function in older adults.
Beer offers unique benefits compared to wine and spirits
In the Nurses Health study, over 70,000 women ages 25 to 42 were tracked for the link between alcohol and high blood pressure. The study found that those who drank moderate amounts of beer had lower blood pressures than nurses who drank either wine or spirits.
It may help reduce kidney stones and boost bone density
In published research men who chose beer had a lower risk of kidney stones compared to other alcoholic beverages, possibly due to the diuretic effect combined with beer's high water content. Other studies show that compounds in hops may also slow the release of calcium from bone, preventing it from forming a stone. Likely for the same reason, moderate beer drinking has been linked to higher bone densities among women.
Beer contains vitamins, minerals and surprise: fiber!
A standard 12-ounce lager contains just under 1 gram of fiber and a dark beer just over a gram. And in general regular beers contain several B vitamins. A 12-ounce brew also packs more calcium, magnesium, and selenium (a key antioxidant) than a serving of wine.
Identifying Kidney Stone Symptoms for Men and Treating Them
Scientifically, men are less prone to urinary tract diseases than women. This is due to the long structure of the male urethra which makes it less prone to invasion of bacteria that may cause urinary tract infection and similar diseases. However, when it comes to the occurrence of kidney stones, men and women exhibit the same propensity in developing the said disease.
Kidney stones may form in different ways. Diet, concurrent diseases, genetics, infection—these are common reasons which predispose a person in developing kidney stones. And like any other diseases, we can pinpoint several kidney symptoms for men. The earlier we realize these symptoms, the better the chances for us to get rid of these kidney stones.
Renal Colic/ Colicky Pain
Renal colic and tenderness a common kidney stone symptoms for men—the same way it is common to women. Renal colic refers to the pain and tenderness that one feels on the groin area as well as in the costovertebral angle (the anatomical position in our back where the kidney is located, and the most common site where pain due to kidney stones radiate).
Suffering from such kidney stone symptoms in men can make you writhe from an excruciating pain. Finding a comfortable position where the pain can be lessened can be very hard to do…though most find relief upon lying flat on the floor. Such type of pain can be managed with the use of potent analgesics/ pain relievers. Since these drugs are potent, you may need to acquire a prescription from your physician.
Kidney stones may form in different ways. Diet, concurrent diseases, genetics, infection—these are common reasons which predispose a person in developing kidney stones. And like any other diseases, we can pinpoint several kidney symptoms for men. The earlier we realize these symptoms, the better the chances for us to get rid of these kidney stones.
Renal Colic/ Colicky Pain
Renal colic and tenderness a common kidney stone symptoms for men—the same way it is common to women. Renal colic refers to the pain and tenderness that one feels on the groin area as well as in the costovertebral angle (the anatomical position in our back where the kidney is located, and the most common site where pain due to kidney stones radiate).
Suffering from such kidney stone symptoms in men can make you writhe from an excruciating pain. Finding a comfortable position where the pain can be lessened can be very hard to do…though most find relief upon lying flat on the floor. Such type of pain can be managed with the use of potent analgesics/ pain relievers. Since these drugs are potent, you may need to acquire a prescription from your physician.
2011年5月2日星期一
Considerations In Getting A Kidney Stone Operation
Many people, upon being diagnosed with a kidney stone, freak out due to the notion that only surgery can resolve their condition. Some may also feel helpless and hopeless, fearing that this condition could end their life on earth. However, we have to understand that not all kidney stones need to be operated. There are also situations wherein kidney stone operations are not necessary.
Like any other diseases, surgery is most often than not the last resort in the treatment process. As much as possible, physicians will exhaust all non-invasive means of treatment before offering the surgical approach. However, there are also conditions before you lay down on the surgical table for the slicing.
Size of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones may come in different sizes. Normally, a kidney stone will start of as a grain-like object in your kidney. In that certain size, it can go on unnoticed and may not produce any symptoms at all. However, as time passes, it can grow larger, most especially if a person goes on with unhealthy habits like eating too much salty foods, not drinking enough fluids and the like.
Radiographic examinations may be necessary to determine whether kidney stone operations can be an option. If the stones are not that large enough, your physician may decide to employ drug therapy and recommend certain diet and lifestyle changes which can help reduce the size of these kidney stones.
Like any other diseases, surgery is most often than not the last resort in the treatment process. As much as possible, physicians will exhaust all non-invasive means of treatment before offering the surgical approach. However, there are also conditions before you lay down on the surgical table for the slicing.
Size of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones may come in different sizes. Normally, a kidney stone will start of as a grain-like object in your kidney. In that certain size, it can go on unnoticed and may not produce any symptoms at all. However, as time passes, it can grow larger, most especially if a person goes on with unhealthy habits like eating too much salty foods, not drinking enough fluids and the like.
Radiographic examinations may be necessary to determine whether kidney stone operations can be an option. If the stones are not that large enough, your physician may decide to employ drug therapy and recommend certain diet and lifestyle changes which can help reduce the size of these kidney stones.
Protests To Ban Diet Drug Ally From The Market: Is It Really Justified
Dr. Richard Besser, Senior Health and Medical Editor for ABC News said that the numbers needed to be put into prospective. Saying that although 40 million people have tried the drug, only 13 cases of liver failure, 47 cases of acute pancreatitis and 73 cases of kidney stones have been reported, and there are no studies to show that these conditions were actually caused by taking the weight loss drugs. Dr. Besser also said that the drugs aren’t very effective and over the course of a year one may only lose 5 pounds more than people using diet and exercise alone, but also there are no other weight loss drugs to offer people at this time.
Public Citizen
In a new attempt to eliminate the only FDA-approved class of weight-loss drugs, Public Citizen issued a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday — its second in five years — calling for the agency to ban the class of drugs called orlistat, better known by the prescription brand names Xenical and Alli.
Potential To Cause Damage
“These drugs have the potential to cause significant damage to multiple critical organs, yet they provide meager benefits in reducing weight loss in obese and overweight patients,” said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group. An estimated 40 million people worldwide have taken either Xenical or Alli in the last decade. But sales have decreased substantially over the last decade. Alli sales dropped from $145 million in 2007 to $84 million by mid-2010, according to a report released by Public Citizen.
Blocking Absorption Of Protein Enzymes
The drugs work by blocking absorption of about a third of certain protein enzymes that enter the body. Instead, the fat passes through the body to the gastrointestinal tract until it is excreted. These medications also block fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, B, and K. Some of the more common side effects of Alli or Xenical include diarrhea and stool leakage.
Public Citizen
In a new attempt to eliminate the only FDA-approved class of weight-loss drugs, Public Citizen issued a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday — its second in five years — calling for the agency to ban the class of drugs called orlistat, better known by the prescription brand names Xenical and Alli.
Potential To Cause Damage
“These drugs have the potential to cause significant damage to multiple critical organs, yet they provide meager benefits in reducing weight loss in obese and overweight patients,” said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group. An estimated 40 million people worldwide have taken either Xenical or Alli in the last decade. But sales have decreased substantially over the last decade. Alli sales dropped from $145 million in 2007 to $84 million by mid-2010, according to a report released by Public Citizen.
Blocking Absorption Of Protein Enzymes
The drugs work by blocking absorption of about a third of certain protein enzymes that enter the body. Instead, the fat passes through the body to the gastrointestinal tract until it is excreted. These medications also block fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, B, and K. Some of the more common side effects of Alli or Xenical include diarrhea and stool leakage.
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